Alastair Cook led his team from the front by smashing an important fifty and James Anderson bowled excellently as England triumphed vs. New Zealand at Cardiff.

The game was restricted to 24 overs a side due to rain and England was bowled out for 169 with three balls to spare. The Kiwis managed 159 for the loss of 8 wickets in the required 24 overs.

Alastair Cook (England) was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his majestic knock of 68 from 47 mere balls.

The 11th match of the ICC Champions Trophy was played on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Ealier, Brendon McCullum, the skipper of the Black Caps, won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. Ian Bell was gone at 16 after scoring 10 runs and Jonathan Trott followed him 9 runs later for 8. Joe Root and the English captain, Alastair Cook, got together as the latter was dropped at 14 in the 8th over. Root hit the first six of the innings in the 10th over as Cook added 13 runs three overs later with 1 six and 1 four. The hundred of the innings was attained on the first ball of the 15th over and Root was caught behind by Luke Ronchi off Mitchell McClenghan for 38 off 40 balls with 1 six and 2 fours.

Alastair Cook – A match winning 64 off 47

Alastair Cook took charge by hitting his 18th ODI fifty in the 17th over. The incoming batsmen were unable to resist as the wickets kept on falling at the other side. Cook was the highest scorer with 64 off just 47 deliveries comprising 2 lofty sixes and 4 fours as the innings of England was rolled back for 169 in 23.3 overs.

Kyle Mills was the star performer with four wickets, Mitchell McClenghan got three whereas Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum shared one wicket each.

New Zealand had a bad start by losing both their openers at just 14 runs in four overs. Kane Williamson was stranded at his end as the wickets kept on crumbling at the other side. The Kiwis were struggling at 5-62 after 13.5 overs when Corey Anderson got together with Williamson. The duo started the repair work while hitting regular boundaries as Anderson hit a six in the 17th over and the score board displayed a hundred runs after the conclusion of the 18th over.

Kane Williamson dispatched his fifth ODI half century in the 20th over as the Black Caps required 55 runs to win from the last 24 deliveries. The pair accumulated 19 runs in the 21st over with I six and 2 fours as Williamson was caught superbly by James Anderson off Stuart Broad for 67 from 54 with 1 six and 8 fours. The sixth wicket fell at 135 after contributing 73 runs and Corey Anderson became the next victim for 30 off 24 with 1 six and 2 fours. New Zealand reached 8-159 after utilising their full quota of 24 overs.

James Anderson was the top wicket taker with three, Tim Bresnan and Ravi Bopara held two each whereas Stuart Broad claimed one wicket.

England won the interesting battle with a narrow margin of 10 runs and confirmed their seat for the semi-final spot.